Your Edge: Loyola's Fletcher on On-Ball Defense

Loyola's Joe Fletcher,
the only collegian still playing with Team USA, preaches the basics
of on-ball defense

What I Do

Stay Patient
I grew up playing at West Genessee (N.Y.) High. Fundamentals are
the big thing there. We weren't allowed to throw checks, really,
and were told to stay patient. I'm not a very fast or quick guy,
either, so I had to use my head more than my athleticism. Coming
here, [assistant] coach [Matt] Dwan told me to do the same things,
and he also helped me adjust to the speed of the college
game.

This story originally appeared in
the January 2014 issue of Lacrosse Magazine. Join US Lacrosse today to
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Play With Confidence
My freshman year at Loyola, I got to play against Mount St.
Mary's, and they scored three or four times on me. I was playing
really scared. After that game, I watched the film with Coach Dwan
and he said, "Go out and play the guys." My sophomore year, I went
out and played a lot of guys who were faster than me. It's like
basketball: the closer you are on their hips the easier it
is.

My Homework
Do your schoolwork. That's important for everyone, including high
school and college kids. You don't have to be a straight-A student,
but if you just put that extra hour into it, it's important.
Schools notice it and it reflects on you. I'm a finance major and
hope to pursue that field after college.

My Favorite Movies

"Fletch," which is also my nickname, and "Tommy Boy". I like the
old 1980s and '90s movies. "Airplane!" and "Blues Brothers"
too.

My Advice

It's important to have good stick work, being able to use both
hands, being able to pick up a ground ball well, and not getting
caught up in the takeaways. I remember in tryout tournaments
wherever they were, I was always worried about how many takeaway
checks that I had, how many times could I get the ball away.
Coaches do look at that, but they look a lot more at your
fundamentals then you think. And keep positive.

My Journey Here

I wasn't heavily recruited in high school. Don't get caught up
in the process. Just do your best. Everything falls the way it
needs to. People get so caught up in [recruiting]! Just do your
best and everything else will take care of itself.